"'Never Again' Happens Again"
by: Becky Fortner
After World War II a monument was erected with the words "Never Again" in five different languages: Hebrew, French, English, German, and Russian. It was erected to show the world that cries for help shall never again be ignored; never again shall a blind eye be turned to shall there be merciless killings of innocent lives. There is only one problem. It is happening again and no one is answering the cries for help.
In February of 2003 fighting broke out between three groups concerning the Darfur region of Sudan: the Sudanese government, the Sudan Liberation Army, and the Justice and Equality Movement. "The armed groups, the 'Sudan Liberation Army' (SLA) and the 'Justice and Equality Movement' (JEM), began the war with attacks on towns, government facilities and civilians in Darfur, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of policemen and civilians and the break down of law and order in Darfur." www.darfurinformation.com
Since this outbreak of violence, thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes; men and boys are killed without question; women and young girls are being raped. People are scared and starving. The people of Darfur who are living through these events every day are crying out for help and the world is keeping silent. We can't let this continue. Someone has to say something.
People need to get involved. Websites such as www.savedarfur.org are always updating on the latest news in Sudan, and they list great ways to get involved and raise awareness. Another way to raise your voice is through writing. Write letters to congress stressing the need for action. We, as a nation, as a world, cannot keep silent. We must open our ears, eyes, and hearts to the people of Sudan and stop the genocide in the Darfur region. Our promises must be kept. We need to help so that this can end, and it never again will happen.